November is National Novel Writing Month, and offers a challenge to writers everywhere to write 50,000 words by November 30.
According to NaNoWriMo's site, there are currently 11,206 people who have pledged to take the challenge, but there are undoubtedly more participating that aren't registered. Writing a novel in a month is a daunting task, especially if you're like me and don't have an idea for a story. So, here are a few tips to get your creativity flowing!
1. Find Music
Don't go to your sing-along songs, find a playlist that inspires your mind and stirs your emotions. One of my personal favorites is Spotify's "Quiet Evening" playlist. Also, for whatever reason, I've gotten some of my best ideas while listening to Ella Fitzgerald. Classical music has also been proven to improve focus.
2. Go Travel
No, you don't have to take a life changing trip to Europe to get some inspiration. It could be something as simple as trying a completely new restaurant, exploring a town an hour away from you, driving on backroads, or getting lost in a city.
3. Talk to People
As writers, we create stories, but we are also storytellers. Sometimes there's a great, real life story that someone has and needs to be told. One of the greatest love stories I've ever heard came from my great-great uncle, and I am determined to tell it one day. If someone has a story that you love and enjoy, odds are that other people will enjoy it too.
4. Do Writing Prompts
NaNoWriMo's site has some prompts, but you can find all kinds of different ones online. There are also character building charts that can be helpful to building a complex character. I've also found inspiration simply from drawing characters.
5. Read Books
Reading the work of other authors is actually a great way to get inspired. It can show you a way to unfold a story that you hadn't thought of before, you can learn how to use imagery, how to evoke suspense, among many other things. Revisit one of your favorite books and read a completely new one too.
6. People Watch
Get out of your introspectiveness and look at the world around you. Analyze people and create their backstories.7. Do Research
One of my favorite things to write about is historical fiction; getting lost in the history of a subject will help you find an interesting angle to a story. Research what you're writing about to find different perspectives than your own.